Trailer



April 19, 1927.

J. F. HIGB'EE TRAILER Filed Nov. 23. 1925 2 Sheets-Shoat z INVHVTOR.

Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

UiTE. STATS F F i E.

ATENT JAMES F. HIGBEE, OF DELBOlT, MICHIGAN, ASSIG'NOR- OF ONE-HALF TO STEPHEN A. GRIGGS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TRAILER.

Application filed November 23, 1923. Serial No. 676,484.

My invention relates to improvements in trailers.

An object is to provide a trailer so constructed that it will not nose or sway on the road when trailed. There is a tendency in trailers, and this becomes particularly noticeable after the mechanism is worn, for the trailer to sway from side to side on the road and to cut in when turning a corner. This is particularly undersirable and is a danger not only to the trailer but to other passing vehicles on the highway.

My invention relates to improved mechanism designed to exert a yielding pressure on the steering mechanism of the trailer to limit the turning movement thereof transmitted. through the road wheels to the steering mechanism and arising from any looseness in the connections comprising the steering mechanism or by means of which the trailer is attached to the power truck. The construction is such that a relatively great-force must be applied to the connection between the power truck and the trailer to impart turning movement to the steering mechanism of the trailer and any force less than this predetermined force will not produce turning movement of the trailer mechanism, and the arrangement is such that it is practically impossible for any shock given to the road wheels to cause any turning movement of the mechanism. The steering traction wheels of the trailer are, therefore, held in alinement with the rear wheels of the truck behind which the trailer is mounted and track therewith.

The particular construction of my improvem'ent and its important features will more fully appear in the following description of the illustrative embodiment shownin the drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the trailer equipped with my improvement, the trailer being partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a sections. view longitudinally of the trailer showing my improvement and its association with the steering mechanism of the trailer.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of my improvement associated with a portion of the trailer construction.

I have shown a trailer having a frame 10 provided with front and rear axles upon which are mounted road wheels 11. The trailer-,is so constructed that each pair of wheels is mounted for turning movement in order that it may be connected at either end to the vehicle to be trailed thereby and at each end steering mechanism is provided. The construction of the rear end of the trailer is similar to that of the forward end and a matter of fact there is no such distinction between the two ends of the trailer and the construction at one end only will be described.

The road wheels are carried by suitable steering knuckles and 12 indicates steering arms connected by a tie rod 13. sion 1-1 on one of the steering arms is connected by a drag link 15 to a pivotally mounted member 16 which forms a part of the steering mechanism. This member 16 is supported for turning movement upon a pin 17 secured to a suitable portion of the axle structure. Springs 18 support the frame upon. the axles of the vehicle and the crosspiece 19 extends lengthwise the axle and is secured thereto above the springs by bolts 20.

The pivotally mounted steering member l6 has a forward extension which terminates in a yoke 21. An adjustable link 22 connects this yoke with a tongue vmember 23 which is normally pivoted at 24 to the frame of the vehicle. This tongue member has a forward extension 25 which is adapted for attachment to a power truck so that the trailer may be drawn thereby. Pivotal movement of the tongue member produces turning movement of the steering mech anism. i

The above described construction is standard and forms no part of my invention except in so far as it is associated with other novel features thereof.

In the construction above described, after the trailer has been in service for some time, wear of the movable parts of the steering mechanism and its various connections with the power truck produces looseness of the parts and there is a resulting nosing of the trailer on the road. This undesirable action is accentuated by shocks imparted to the road wheels which produce swaying movement of the trailer.

To prevent this undesirable movement of the trailer I provide centering means which tends to hold the steering mechanism of the An extentrailer against turi'ring movement except upon the application of a predetermined pressure to the connection made between the trailer and the power truck. The levera t e exerted upon such connection is so much greater than any which can be exerted upon the steering mechanism through the road wheels that it is practically impossible to release the centering means by force imparted through the road wheels.

I provide a how 26 secured by bolts 27 to the cross-piece 19. 'l heo 'ienings 28 in the bow through which the bolts 27 extend are in the form of slots so that the bow may be adjusted relative the cross-piece after the road wheels have been alined in order that the steering mechanism will be centered with the road wheels in alinement. This how is provided on itsconeave face with a center ing recess 2!). The steering member it has a portion 230 hollowed out to receive a plunger 3t held out ardl v by a spring- 32 so that a grooved roller 33 carried hy the head 3% of the plunger is held yieldingrly in engagement. with the inner face of the how 26. As will. be seen from Fi 9, the plunger has a permitted inward movement relative its support so that it may move inwardly to permit pivotal motion at the member 16, the roller 33 t aveling over the inner face or the bow 26, and that when the roller is brought into registry with the recess 29 oi? lll1L l )O\V it falls therein and centers the steering mechanism against turning movement. The tension on the spring is such that the steering mechanism is held from its turning movement until sutiicient force is applied to the tong'z'ue member to release the roller and permit movement 01 the steerin; mechanism.

\Vhat I claim is:

Lln a trailer, an axle provided at its ends with stcerin s knuckles carrying traction wheels, steering arms and a tie rod connecting said steering knuckles, a drag linlt pivoted to one 0t said steering arms. a tongue pivoted to the vehicle and adapted to be attached to another vehicle for towing", a bow rie id with the axle extendinp rearwardlv thcrco't. a steering memher pivoted to the axle having, an adjustable extension forwardly at its pivot point connected with the tongue tor turning and an extension rearwardly of its pivot point connected with the drag lint: tor steerine'. said steering member having; a socket. a spring-pressed plunger in said socket having a nose adapted to travel over said how, said how having a recess adapted to engage the nose ol the plunger to relcasably hold tillflvF tllllt to prevent turningg movement of the steering member.

2. In a traiter, an axle structure provided with steering knuckles carrying traction wheels connected by steering arms and a tie rod, a tongue pivoted to the vehicle above the axle, a steering member pivoted to the axle having an extension forwardly thereof connected with the tongue for turning and having an extension rearwardly of its pi votal connection with the axle connected by a drag linlt with a steering arm for ste a bow rigid with the axle, a spi-ing-pressed plunger carried by said steering member held yicldably against said how to re'leasaliily center the steering member against turning.

3.111 a trailer, an axle provided with steering ln'iuckles carrying traction wheels connected for turning movement by steering: arms and a tie rod, a springsupported trame mounted on the axle, a ton 'ue pivoted to the fran'ie and having a forward attachment for connection with another vehicle, a steering member pivoted. to the axle, an extensible link pivoted to the steering mem her and t0 the tongue, said steering member having a rearward extension connected by a drag link through the steering arms and tie rod with the steering knuckles for steering, a bow rigid with the axle, said how being adjustable longitudinally of the axle, said steering member provided with a part held outwardly yieldably against the bow to releasably center the steering member ag'ainst turning movement.

t. In a trailer, an axle having traction wheels at each and mounted upon steering knuckles connected by steering arms and a tie rod, a frame supported by springs upon the axle, a tong i'ie pivoted to the traine, a steering member pivoted to the axle, said steering; member having a yoke forwardly of its pivotpoint with the axle, an extensible lint; hinged within said yoke for vertical swinging movement and pivotally cotmectod at its forward end to the toiigue, said stccrinomember having a rearward downward extension, a drag, lillh' pivoted to said extension and connected with the tie rod and steering; arms to provide for steering movement, a how upon the axle, said steering member provided with a part held yieldably in eng ragement with the bow to rchaisahly center the steering member against pivotal movement.

in testimony whereof, l sign this s 'iecitication.

JQtMlEH l llljG-Bltlll.

Ill?) lltl 

